Igbo Highlife Invasion: Agenda or Coincidence?

Reviewing the music projects of Mayorkun, Buju and The Cavemen, while analysing the recent rave of the music from South Eastern Nigeria.

If there was a flavour that defined October in terms of music, it has to be the South Eastern highlife. In the space of one week from October 22 - 29, Larry Gaaga’s Egedege single dropped which was a celebration of the Igbo culture, The Cavemen’s Love and Highlife was an LP format while Buju and Mayorkun’s recent music projects all had elements of music from the South East culture.

But before we jump into that, shall we do some voting? From last week’s post, some AfroDivers felt that the African music industry should strive for its own version of Grammys and not kowtow to American elites for validation. What do you think? Should African artistes continue to chase Grammy or support a homegrown awards platform?

And to pick up from where we paused, Igbo hiphop champs, Flavour and Phyno were enlisted alongside the iconic Theresa Onuorah to Egedege-lise Larry Gaaga’s latest single. From Pete Edochie’s speech to the main visuals of the song and instrumentals, the song captured the Igbo culture and music succinctly.

Then The Cavemen dropped their second album, Love and Highlife, which was monotonously Igbo and the highlife genre the ethnic group is popular for. Although Made Kuti brought the Fela Vibe on the Biri track, the 18-track LP explored all the sub-levels of Igbo highlife music, from the Kegite feel to the party mood. Selense is downright my favourite track of the album.

Buju, although Akwa Ibom-born, felt he should not be left out of the Igbo party. The Ogechukwu track off his Sorry I’m late EP, on which he featured The Cavemen, was a low tempo song that showcased his versatility.

On the EP, generally, you can feel his maturing confidence and sense of arrival in the eponymous opening track, Daniel Benson. Kilometre, the third track, feels to me like a sneering parody of his ex-boss Burna boy’s single of the same name. Perhaps he was the inspiration behind Burna boy’s kilomi kilomi kilomi…

Buju’s lyrical range is also impressive, throwing a couple of lines in Yoruba, showing off his rap skill in the process. The EP is a perfect buildup to an album, something he would surely be preparing for come 2022.

For range, Mayorkun is another star who didn’t fail to impress on his sophomore album, Back in Office. The dozen-track album was a deliberate attempt at inclusion. Featuring Flavour on Feel Am continues the Igbo music rave - something which certainly feels like an agenda now - while Di’Ja gives the album a Northern vibe, albeit Di’Ja sounded so predictable and cliche on Piece of Mind.

With elements of Amapiano and Afro-House noticeable all over the album, alongside the strategic collaboration with South African acts, DJ Maphorisa and Kabza De Small, as well as Ghana’s Gyakie, the Betty butter crooner shows he will soon be contesting for the mayorship of Africa.

In other news…

Expect another Wizkid album, More love, less ego in January 2022, following the superstar’s revelation that another body of work is up for release once his tour finishes.

Don’t forget to share with your circle of friends. We’re still on the race to 100 community members.